Westcountry couple with acrophobia 'horrified' after being offered 14th-floor flat
A taxi driver, who suffers from a fear of heights, is urging Bristol City Council to reconsider their offer of a 14th-floor flat in a residential tower block.
Ali Yaakoubi, currently residing in temporary accommodation with his wife, revealed that this was the first direct offer they had received for social housing in two years.
Mr Yaakoubi, who takes medication for depression and anxiety, fears his health conditions will deteriorate if they move into the offered flat in Barton Hill.
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In a letter to his housing advisor, he clarified that he had previously indicated on his Home Choice application that Barton Hill was not an appropriate area for him and his wife, reports BristolLive.
Before being evicted two years ago, Mr Yaakoubi privately rented a flat in Redland. He stated that he's no longer accepted for private rentals as agents now prefer 'professionals' such as 'doctors' and 'accountants'.
Despite the ongoing review of the direct offer, Mr Yaakoubi and his wife were asked to vacate their temporary accommodation on Monday, September 16. If Bristol City Council rejects his dispute over the suitability of the offer, they could lose their housing support.
He told BristolLive that since the viewing of the flat on August 30 he had struggled to sleep at night and the experience itself was 'very scary'. When the couple entered the lift at the building he said they were unaware that the flat was on the 14th floor.
In Mr Yaakoubi's letter to his housing officer on September 9, he said that the direct offer came as a 'surprise' because he had previously listed the areas of Bristol where the couple could live but they were not recorded on the form.
He explained in the letter: "Barton Hill, on the other hand, is not an area with which either of us is familiar, nor do we know anyone in this area who could support us.
"When we went to view this flat, my wife and I were horrified to discover that it was on the 14th floor of a high rise block of flats as we both have a phobia of heights."
Speaking about the condition of the flat, he added: "The flat itself was in a terrible state and did not appear to be ready for anyone to move into. There were no light bulbs in the sockets and no furniture."
"We are not in a position to be able to purchase these things for ourselves in bedding, crockery, pots and pans, cooker or fridge, in such a very short space of time, so the property would have lacked basic amenities and been completely unliveable in when the contract said we were supposed to move."
His GP has penned a letter to the councils, which Mr Yaakoubi shared with BristolLive, insisting on reconsideration of the Barton Hill flat offer, stating: "He is feeling extremely anxious and has a phobia of heights. A move to a high-rise building is likely to have a substantial detrimental effect on his health. Please can you urgently consider alternative suitable accommodation."
Bristol City Council has been contacted for a statement.